The following music and art classes sponsored by the City of Palmdale are open to the public but require a fee:
JAN. 17 – INSTANT GUITAR CLASS
The City of Palmdale’s recreation and culture department is offering an “Instant Guitar for Hopelessly Busy People” class on Friday, Jan. 17 from 6:30 to 9 pm at the Marie Kerr Park Recreation Center, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd. in Palmdale.
Renowned music teacher Craig Coffman, who also teaches an “Instant Piano” class, will teach the course. “Over 20,000 students have attended my ‘Instant Piano’ class with great results and it occurred to me that the same principles apply to the guitar,” said Coffman. “With this class I am able to give them enough information and tools that students can go home right away and teach themselves what they want to learn.”
The cost is $30 per session, plus a $29 materials fee payable to the instructor. Students will need to bring their own acoustic guitar.
“Many students just want to learn how to play simple tunes and they can start doing this right away,” said Coffman. “Others want to go further and I am then able to point them towards the right materials to help them go down this road. In the class we also discuss some of the common mistakes people make and the hurdles that prevent them from learning the guitar. If I can help students avoid these hurdles then they are much more likely to succeed,” Coffman added.
Participants must pre-register for the course either online at http://www.cityofpalmdale.org or at the recreation and culture department, 38260 10th St. East in Palmdale. Both online and in person registration began on Monday, December 16.
“You don’t need to know anything at all about music or the guitar to attend the class,” stated Coffman. “This is designed for the absolute beginner. No one will be put ‘on the spot’ or embarrassed. If you have the desire and the motivation to practice you can learn this instrument. The emphasis here is on learning for your own enjoyment and having fun,” he said.
For more information please visit http://www.instantguitar.com.
JAN. 18 – INSTANT PIANO CLASSES
The City of Palmdale will host nationally renowned instructor Craig Coffman as he presents two workshops on how to play the piano in as little as three hours on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Marie Kerr Park Recreation Center, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd. in Palmdale.
Session one, entitled “Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People,” will be held from 9 am to noon and covers the basics of playing the piano and using the chord method. Session two, called “How to Play Piano by Ear,” will be held from 1 to 3:30 pm, builds on the information taught in the first session and teaches the secrets of how to play without the use of any written music.
The cost is $30 per session, plus a $29 materials fee payable to the instructor. A $10 discount is available if participants register for both sessions.
Participants must pre-register for the course either online at http://www.cityofpalmdale.org or at the recreation and culture department, 38260 10th St. East in Palmdale, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
“While the classical approach stresses discipline and precision in playing, this approach stresses enjoyment and getting great sounds early on,” said instructor Coffman. “While precision is vital for classical music, this ‘pain free’ method is more suitable for pop music of all kinds, from Broadway to rhythm and blues.”
“The materials used in the class allow a person with little or no experience to start on the road to – and eventually achieve – professional playing skills,” said Coffman. “While knowing how to read the treble clef is a good foundation, many students take the workshop with no prior piano experience. Students will learn how to use chords instead of traditional note-by-note music reading,” said Coffman.
Coffman promises that after this workshop each student will know how to play any pop tune with both hands using this system.
Anyone interested in taking the workshop is welcome to send for a free pamphlet titled “How To Read Music Notation In Just 30 Minutes!” Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Innovative Keyboard Instruction, 2841 S. Southwind Dr., Gilbert, AZ 85295.
For more information, call 661-267-5611.
JAN. 18 – FAUX PAINTING WORKSHOP
The City of Palmdale’s Recreation and Culture Department will host a two-part faux painting course entitled “Fabulous Faux for Boring Walls” on Saturday, Jan. 18 from 9:30 am to 12 noon and 1 to 3:30 pm at the Marie Kerr Park Recreation Center, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd. in Palmdale.
The fee is $30 to attend one course or $50 to attend both courses – a $10 savings. A $29 materials fee is to be paid to Linda Coffman, the class instructor, the day of the class for a painting kit. A painting shirt is recommended for participation. Registration prior to the day of the class is required, as onsite registration will not be accepted.
Part one will begin at 9:30 am, and will cover basic looks of faux – classic, tuscan and metallics. Part 2 will begin at 1 pm, and will combine her approach with more popular styles such as suede, rustic and modern.
Instructor Coffman has been in the wallpapering and faux-painting business for over 18 years. Her work is featured in businesses, hotels, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and fine homes throughout Minnesota and Arizona. Coffman has taught thousands of students her faux painting techniques for over seven years, giving beginners the experience and confidence they need to create amazing walls.
“By taking this class, students will be able to have perfect ceilings and corners, use glaze with double rollers, and know how to do numerous looks like leather and old world,” Coffman said.
Participants must pre-register for the course either online at http://www.cityofpalmdale.org, at the Recreation and Culture department, 38260 10th St. East in Palmdale, Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 6 pm.
For more information, call 661-267-5611.
